Hey guys! In case you haven't noticed I've been branching out a little bit more with the content on L. Avenue in recent months. While this has been primarily a fashion website, I've started weaving in more lifestyle pieces on entertaining, motherhood, interiors and most recently a few segments on charity organizations. I hope y'all like the direction we're heading in, I know I'm finding a lot of joy and inspiration mixing things up a bit.
Today, I'm so excited to spotlight A Shelter for Cancer Families (ASCF). ASCF provides free tangible support in the Texas Medical Center to families affected by cancer based on their needs, regardless of age, cancer type, treatment status or income. Tangible support is tailored to meet each family’s needs. Support may include but not limited to housing for cancer families, navigation services and support to help families celebrate what is important to them in the midst of the cancer journey.
ASCF so near and dear to my heart. My mom was diagnosed with a rare, late stage cancer back in 2013 and lost her battle 9 months later. It's pretty gut wrenching to even write that last sentence, but because of my mom's personal journey, I experienced first hand how impactful services like ASCF provides can be for cancer patients and their families. My mom received treatment over an hour away from my hometown in Ohio and the hour plus drive home after chemo was often times harder than the treatment itself. ASCF provides patients and their families free housing minutes away from their treatment in the Texas Medical Center. I can't even begin to explain how huge this is for patients' fighting a physically, mentally emotionally intense illness.
I had the opportunity to visit with some of the patients and families who have utilized ASCF housing and navigation services and am blown away by how this organization has truly enhanced their cancer journey; from ASCF patient navigators sitting in on and note taking at important doctor's appointments to the beautiful apartments that patients get to call home while receiving treatment, the ASCF staff and volunteers are a true game changer. My wish is for all major medical hubs treating cancer to have housing and patient services like ASCF, I know my Mom would smile down with delight knowing that others would have such helping hands of support during the fight of their lives.
Now for a little fashion with all of this great philanthropy, shall we?! Fashion powerhouse Etro has graciously partnered with ASCF. Luxurious fabrics, vivid motifs and elegant tailoring define the Etro's latest collection. I got to play dress-up in their River Oaks District store and today's dress is quite possibly my favorite dress I've ever tried on. Well maybe a close second to my wedding dress!
Etro in River Oaks District is giving back to ASCF this entire month and offering 10% of sales to the charity, so if you're in Houston please shop for this amazing cause! And if you're not in Houston, please spread the word about organizations like ASCF in other cities. A lot of the cancer families that ASCF serves actually learned about the organization through word of mouth! And with that I'll end on the hope that this blog post could bring a family (or families!) one step closer to the medical treatment they need to beat cancer.
outfit details | ETRO dress {2018 runway collection} | ETRO belt | Aquazzura pump, similar here for less | earrings | Valentino sunglasses (old) similar here
